Quarantine Reads for Health and Wellness

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No doubt about it, quarantine has got us all looking for entertainment. If you’re the book loving type, as I am, this has been a chance to catch up on my reading backlog. Since the library has closed, I’m being forced to read the myriad of books I bought in the past, always with the best of intentions. Considering my torrid library affair, I feel like this might be a key character-building lesson for me.

Surprisingly enough, it has not been escapist fiction keeping my attention, but rather non-fiction titles meant to motivate, improve, and educate. Although the choice to read these books was not a conscious decision, it has struck me that our current shelter-in-place situation may be perfect for working on myself.

As a Certified Health Coach, I have always recommended creative pastimes like reading, writing, and journaling as outlets for life’s stressors. In revisiting my dusty shelves, I came across some titles that I wish to share with anyone also looking to improve themselves at this time. Each one is near and dear to my heart as they each played a significant role in who I am today, whether that is in my private or professional life. I hope these books resonate with you as well.

For those trying to eat better: How Not to Die​ and ​How Not to Diet​ by Michael Greger, M.D., FACLM.​ If you’re not familiar with ​nutritionfacts.org​, Dr. Greger’s remarkable website, you should be. How does this guy find time in the day for all that he does? And if you haven’t guessed yet from the title of the books, Dr. Greger has a wonderful sense of humor and is all about getting facts straight. He is passionate about what plant-based eating can do for our health. In ​How Not to Diet​, the first half of the book is devoted to the causes of chronic disease in relation to our obsession with animal-based foods. In the second half, he puts plant-based eating strategies into play. In the sequel, ​How Not to Diet​, Dr. Greger’s out to change our perceptions on weight loss. He gives helpful tips for those struggling to lose weight and improve their health, while busting through the myths. ● For those trying to be more active: ​No Sweat​ by Michelle Segar, Ph.D. ​What more can you ask for than a book on exercise motivation when all the gyms are closed? Michelle Segar explores meaning, awareness, permission, and strategy, all mental states we must address to find our most active selves. Not only does the book present exercise ideas and practical tips suited for beginners, it brings attention to the bigger issue that our society’s expectations of what healthy and beautiful bodies should look like are a far cry from reality.

For those trying to be more active: ​No Sweat​ by Michelle Segar, Ph.D. ​What more can you ask for than a book on exercise motivation when all the gyms are closed? Michelle Segar explores meaning, awareness, permission, and strategy, all mental states we must address to find our most active selves. Not only does the book present exercise ideas and practical tips suited for beginners, it brings attention to the bigger issue that our society’s expectations of what healthy and beautiful bodies should look like are a far cry from reality.

For those who wonder why making change is so hard: Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard​ by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. ​This book is absolutely mind-blowing. It breaks down our mind into rational and emotional parts and delves into what part of ourselves is holding the reins at any time when it comes to decision making. Told in a variety of stories illustrating the concepts the brothers Heath are presenting, the book is fun to read and incredibly insightful. The imagery of the tiny man atop the huge elephant will never leave me. Confused? Read the book to find out. ● For those who are exhausted: ​I Don’t Have to Make Everything All Better​ by Gary and Joy Lundberg. ​And by exhausted, I mean emotionally over it. This book was recommended for Certified Health Coaches, who tend to be natural empaths, at a panel I once attended. I wondered at the time if there was a picture of me in the book. I do not hesitate to say that this book changed my life. After reading it, I became a better person in all my relationships. The strategies presented were easy to put into action and startlingly effective. Where once I went through life feeling like a drained battery, I learned how to help others help themselves. What an incredible experience!

For those who are exhausted: ​I Don’t Have to Make Everything All Better​ by Gary and Joy Lundberg. ​And by exhausted, I mean emotionally over it. This book was recommended for Certified Health Coaches, who tend to be natural empaths, at a panel I once attended. I wondered at the time if there was a picture of me in the book. I do not hesitate to say that this book changed my life. After reading it, I became a better person in all my relationships. The strategies presented were easy to put into action and startlingly effective. Where once I went through life feeling like a drained battery, I learned how to help others help themselves. What an incredible experience!

For those who need a little perspective: ​The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing​ by Bronnie Ware. ​Another mind-blowing book. I originally picked this up after attending a fitness convention seminar on happiness. I found the title intriguing and the idea that I could find happiness in its covers was irresistible. Ware is an Australian woman who worked in palliative care and wrote a memoir of her experiences after learning lesson after lesson from the “dearly departing.” Her book is remarkable, beautiful and heart-wrenching, but oh so hopeful. I don’t know about you, but I believe we could all use a dose of hope right about now.

Brittany Hall is the owner of Brittany Hall Certified Personal Training and Health Coaching LLC. She is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer (ACE-CPT), ACE Certified Health Coach (ACE-CHC), and ACE Mind Body Specialist, all earned with the American Council on Exercise (ACE). She also holds an advanced certification with the Cancer Exercise Training Institute (CETI) as a Cancer Exercise Specialist (CES). She was an attendee at the Active Lives: Transforming Our Patients and Ourselves conference presented by The Institute of Lifestyle Medicine at Harvard Medical School as well as the IDEA World Fitness Convention presented by the IDEA Health and Fitness Association. Her latest venture is as a POP Pilates instructor.

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Brittany Hall is an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer (CPT). Known as "Pixie" to her patients at Dr. Evans' The Institute of Family, Preventative and Lifestyle Medicine; she is also an ACE-certified Health Coach. Brittany is an American Karate First Degree Black Belt, co-owner of Lionheart Krav Maga and Fitness, and is a Bikini competitor. She is currently training as a Krav Maga instructor with a special interest in women’s self-defense. She completed the Lifestyle Medicine Core Competencies Program through the American College of Preventative Medicine. She was also an attendee at the Active Lives: Transforming Our Patients and Ourselves conference presented by The Institute of Lifestyle Medicine at Harvard Medical School.